Deciding if therapy is for you is a really big decision. Before booking if you’d like to find out more about how therapy works, or just want to see if your concern is a good fit for therapy, we have trained care coordinators happy to answer your questions.

Do You Need Therapy? 6 Signs Your Mental Health Could do with a Spring Clean

In the same way that you'd see a doctor for a physical check-up, starting therapy is the perfect way to check yourself in for a “mind MOT” and keep things on the straight and narrow. With spring well underway, there's never been a better time to dust off the cobwebs and start taking your mental health seriously.

1. You don’t know who to talk to about your struggles

Maybe you feel like a burden to your friends or family, maybe you don’t have an immediate support network... Or maybe you just feel like nobody in your life can relate to the feelings that you’re experiencing. All of these are totally normal feelings. Talking to a therapist can provide you with the support you need, without putting a strain on your personal relationships.

2. You can't sleep

Whether you are lying awake in the wee hours struggling to sleep or feeling constantly exhausted and over-reliant on sleep, an unhealthy sleep pattern is one of the key indicators that something is troubling you. “Spring-cleaning” your mental health may be a good way to ease your troubles, and ensure you’re sleeping soundly again.

3. You've lost interest in things you previously enjoyed

Have you suddenly lost enthusiasm for something that previously brought you pleasure? A lack of interest in formerly enjoyable activities, whether that be seeing friends, a routine sport or hobby, an enjoyment of food, or even your sex-drive, suggests that something's on your mind. Chatting to a professional can help you take preventative measures, and assess what may be troubling you. It's normal to lose your zest for life every now and again, but checking these behaviours early on can make sure you’re back to feeling more like yourself and enjoying life!

4. You’re dealing with change

Change is hard. Period. Relationships coming to an end, however amicably, will always come with their fair share of emotional baggage. Grief, although inevitable, is always painful. And monumental life-changes, changing jobs, schools, or career paths, are never going to be an 100% seamless transition.

That being said, change is a part of life, and learning to accept and cope with change is a life-skill which is beneficial to everyone. If you’ve been through a change and are finding it hard to cope then, that’s okay! It just means that you’re human. Speaking to a therapist may be exactly what you need to learn how to accept this change and manage the emotions that come up.

5. Everything feels like the end of the world

Losing perspective is easily done, but can be damaging to the way you approach life. This behaviour is known as ‘catastrophising’, and refers to the feeling that everything is the worst it could possibly be. Sometimes a negative outlook feels like the only available perspective, but identifying these irrational thoughts, and knowing how to frame them in a more realistic way, has proven to be incredibly beneficial.

6. You find yourself taking the weight of the world on your shoulders

Being a supportive friend, partner, colleague or family member is an admirable trait. Yet, there is a fine line between being a source of comfort and taking responsibility for someone else’s happiness. It's easy to feel burdened by the problems of someone else in the quest to be a good friend; however, this can soon take a toll on your personal well-being. Learning to differentiate between the right level of support, and taking on too much, can do your mental health a world of good.

A clearer mind, a sense of relief and a feeling of support are just examples of what to expect when finding the right therapist.

If you are ready to make the commitment to your mental well-being, answer a few simple questions to find a therapist and see what type of therapy would be the most beneficial for you. If you still need convincing, here's why everyone should give therapy a shot.

Lara is a marketing director for a gastronomic start-up working between London and Valencia. A long-term lover of writing, she also has an extensive background in psychological research and an ongoing interest in all things psychology and counselling. In her free time, she is a keen singer and traveller.